Carolyn Warner, former Arizona superintendent, dead at 88

PHOENIX (AP/KSAZ) - Carolyn Warner, a longtime Arizona superintendent of public instruction and unsuccessful candidate for higher offices, has died. She was 88.

Warner died Tuesday night at her home and no information is immediately available on cause of death, according to Bethany Holder, Warner's executive assistant at her education consulting business.

Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams released the following statement on the death of Warner:

“Arizona has lost an icon. A trailblazer in her own right—Carolyn Warner leaves a legacy of tireless dedication and advocacy for public education that will always be remembered. I’m saddened by Carolyn’s passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family in this difficult time.”

Long prominent in Arizona politics, Warner served 12 years as state superintendent in the 1970s and 1980s and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 1976 and governor in 1986.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey said Warner lived a life of public service to Arizona and "will be remembered as a dedicated advocate for education."

Saddened to hear about the passing of former AZ Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Warner. She will be remembered as a dedicated advocate for education in our state, and we are thankful for her life of public service to our state.